For New York hospitals, first-ever citywide nurse residency program will help retention, curb burnout

A group of New York City hospitals, including the city's public system, will be the launch pad for its first-ever city-led nurse residency program, an initiative aimed at curbing burnout and improving retention rates at hospitals. The Citywide Nurse Residency program, as it has been named, will be implemented in 24 participating local hospitals and 500 newly-hired nurses will be provided with specialized training that promotes job retention in its first year.

The program is being offered in partnership with the Greater New York Hospital Association, NYU Langone Health, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital and will provide newly-hired, first-time nurses with on-the-job training, focusing on topics including ethics, decision making, clinical leadership, and the incorporation of research-based evidence into practice as well as support and mentorship proven to enhance nurse satisfaction, performance, and retention.

The announcement was made by Mayor Bill Deblasio's office and the city's Small Business Commission.

WHY IT MATTERS

The program will support participating hospitals with implementing a year-long residency that bridges the gap between education and practice for newly-graduated nurses. This is the first time that New York City's public hospital system, the largest in the nation, has adopted a nurse residency program.

THE TREND

According to hospital partners, the loss of one nurse can cost up to $100,000. Meanwhile, keeping them is a challenge. Though these types of residencies are a proven way to retain nursing staff, the city's public and safety net hospitals historically lacked the capacity and resources to launch this type of program, the announcement said.

ON THE RECORD

"This will be a great addition to supplement our newly graduated nurses' clinical training, with focus on things like communication skills and working with multidisciplinary partners," said Mary Anne Marra, RN, chief nursing officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. "Research has demonstrated that programs like this help with nurse retention, and we'll be able to get real data quickly to help us decide about our long-term commitment to the program. We are very optimistic."

"We're exploring every possible avenue to create new pipelines of opportunity for New Yorkers who deserve good paying jobs as we continue to make strides toward being the fairest big city in America," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "This Citywide Nurse Residency program will help expand opportunities and retain skilled professionals at public hospitals that deliver quality health care to countless New Yorkers."

"Nurses are an integral part of the fabric that helps hospitals and clinics provide patients with the best care," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. "This initiative will help ensure nurses receive the training and support they need to thrive in our hospitals and help New Yorkers get and stay healthy."

THEIR TAKE

The participating hospitals include BronxCare Health System, Brookdale University Hospital, Interfaith Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Mount Sinai Brooklyn, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Queens, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, Maimonides Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. Additionally, a number of locations for NYC Health + Hospitals Bellevue, Coney Island, Elmhurst, Harlem, Jacobi, Kings County, Lincoln, Metropolitan, North Central Bronx, Queens and Woodhull as well as St. Barnabas Hospital Systems.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn
Email the writer: beth.sanborn@himssmedia.com